Board wants to be part of Colorado Main Street

Friday

Mar 15, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Main Street Specialist Marc Cittone presented the Colorado Department of Local Affairs-endorsed program to the Urban Renewal Authority Board on Thursday. The Board, encouraged by City Manager Rick Klein, agreed to sign on as a candidate to take part in the Colorado Main Street Program.

By Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Main Street Specialist Marc Cittone presented the Colorado Department of Local Affairs-endorsed program to the Urban Renewal Authority Board on Thursday. The Board, encouraged by City Manager Rick Klein, agreed to sign on as a candidate to take part in the Colorado Main Street Program. La Junta will be joining the communities of Steamboat Springs, Granby, Berthoud, Lyons, Brush, Fruita, Rifle, Montrose, Victor, Ridgway, Lake City, Westcliffe and Silver Cliff and Lamar.

Main Street was organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in Colorado operates under the auspices of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, represented at this meeting not only by Cittone but also by Regional DOLA Manager Lee Merkel.

The program is intended to help the candidate establish and build the organization's structure, leadership and resources. It will encourage active public/private participation in downtown revitalization. Chairman Lynn Horner pointed out the need for cooperation with private owners to preserve downtown historical buildings, including foundations and roofs.

Main Street will provide Main Street 101 Training for all board and committee members. It will organize an assessment of the downtown area and help to establish a dedicated point of contact for training and communications. The city is expected to complete an annual work plan and conduct a historic survey of the downtown area. Sandra Leonard said that a historic survey was drawn up by Frances Keck in the 1980s and would provide much useful information.

Quarterly and annual reporting are required and there must be local government support. Mack Burtis said the City Council must be on board for the program to work: they are, after all, the elected officials.

The benefits of the program are technical assistance, financial assistance, networking, exchange of information and additional publicity. Merkel said the assistance grant program of DOLA is now back in effect, with $20 million in grants per cycle. The money comes from mineral severance tax, divided among all 64 counties of Colorado. La Junta has benefited from these DOLA funds before, in the curb, gutter and sidewalk project and the City Park wall project.

The Gates Foundation is wanting to help out in southeastern Colorado, said Board Member Rebecca Goodwin, but is looking for communities with plans in place. This should be a good start. The program was also presented on Thursday evening at the Community Conversations.

Plaza Building update

The decision about Urban Renewal Authority Board's recommendation for restoration or demolition of the Plaza Building will be made at a noon meeting on April 2 at the Council Chambers. People who wish to speak will be allowed a designated period of time and then the vote will be taken.